Tampa Bay

It’s better in the app

Download. Join. Explore.

Download. Sign in. Explore.

Spend a Day Exploring 8+ Things to Do in Downtown Tampa

  • March 20, 2022
  • | 1:00 PM

VIPs Only 💁‍♀️‍♀️

Just kidding! (sorta)

Curate your favorite guides, events, deals, and more with our new Collections feature, available exclusively on the UNATION mobile app.

Things to Do in Downtown Tampa

It’s 5 PM on Friday. You’re watching the clock as if it’s counting down to midnight on New Year’s Eve.

*where’s the champagne?!* 

The workweek is minutes away from being over, and you’re sitting on the edge of your chair.

Then suddenly, it occurs to you. You have zero weekend plans. And while this may be great news for your dog, it’s not exactly pleasing to you.

You pause to recenter and mentally scan your options. There’s a market in Hyde Park you’ve fluttered through more times than you can count. If you’re brave enough, you could tan by the pool without getting torrentially rained on in the morning…but then what?

We vote for trying something new. Spend an afternoon exploring the streets of Downtown Tampa!

If you’re scratching your head in utter desperation, curious about what the city has to offer, don’t worry. We’ll get you up to speed on all of the amazing things to do in Downtown Tampa.

Victory Coffee & Tea

Relax at a Coffee Shop

Located in Channelside, this little coffee shop is extremely popular with the local residents. Serving King State Coffee, sip on a delicious soy latte–one of the best in Tampa, by the way–a secret menu Lavender Vanilla Iced Coffee, or whatever your go-to order is.

Add a breakfast item or sandwiches to complete your perfect meal!  Order the Everything bagel with avocado–trust us, the avocado toast will never be the same.

Quick tip: if you are a dog lover, this is puppy central.  Visitors are known to bring the cutest dogs to this coffee shop!

Hours and Location

Monday | 6:00am-3:00pm
Tuesday | 6:00am-3:00pm
Wednesday | 6:00am-3:00pm
Thursday | 6:00am-3:00pm
Friday | 6:00am-3:00pm
Saturday | 7:00am-2:00pm
Sunday | 7:00am-2:00pm

📍101 N 12th St, Tampa, FL 33602

Park & Rec Tampa

Visit One of the Best Cocktail Bars

Located in Channelside, this little coffee shop is extremely popular with the local residents. Serving King State Coffee, sip on a delicious soy latte–one of the best in Tampa, by the way–a secret menu Lavender Vanilla Iced Coffee, or whatever your go-to order is.

Add a breakfast item or sandwiches to complete your perfect meal!  Order the Everything bagel with avocado–trust us, the avocado toast will never be the same.

Quick tip: if you are a dog lover, this is puppy central.  Visitors are known to bring the cutest dogs to this coffee shop!

Hours and Location

Monday | Closed
Tuesday | Closed
Wednesday | Closed
Thursday | 5:00pm-3:00am
Friday | 5:00pm-3:00am
Saturday | 12:00pm-3:00pm
Sunday | 12:00pm-12:00am

📍290 S Meridian Ave, Tampa, FL 33602

More of our favorite cocktail bars

Hotel BarGenX TavernCW’s Gin JointLa La’s Sangria BarRemedy

Keep reading for more downtown Tampa things to do

Dio Modern Mediterranean

Eat at These Incredible Restaurants

Dio Modern Mediterranean is a true date destination. Velvet gem-toned booths and whitewashed exposed brick make for a darling atmosphere, with plates inspired by the coastal shores of the Mediterranean.

If you’re in the “I want to endlessly impress you” stage of your relationship, order the Astakos Linguine. It’s served with a beautiful whole lobster perched on a nest of linguine with Santorini tomato sauce. The entire situation is perfectly Instagrammable and highly delicious.

Hours and Location

Monday | 11:00am-12:00am
Tuesday | 11:00am-12:00am
Wednesday |11:00am-12:00am
Thursday | 11:00am-12:00am
Friday | 11:00am-2:00am
Saturday | 11:00am-2:00am
Sunday | 11:00am-12:00am

📍519 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602

More of our favorite restaurants

BamboozleMalio’s Prime SteakhouseAnchor and BrineThe Battery

More restaurants and things to do along the Tampa Riverwalk
More restaurants in Sparkman Wharf

We Explored Some of Our Favorite Attractions!


Eddie & Sam’s N.Y. Pizza

Grab a Quick Bite

Gigantic pizza slices made with New York water-infused dough? Yes, please. Eddie & Sam’s is home to Downtown Tampa’s best New York Style Pizza, slinging classic slices like Grandma’s Pie and Eggplant Parmigiana.

Their menu offers everything from salads and gyros to pizzas and pasta, and you can be in and out within 15 minutes. Grab a creamy scoop of gelato on your way out. It’s perfettamente!

Hours and Location

Monday | Closed
Tuesday | Closed
Wednesday | 11:00am-10:00pm
Thursday | 11:00am-10:00pm
Friday | 11:00am-10:00pm
Saturday | 11:00am-10:00pm
Sunday | 11:00am-10:00pm

📍203 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602

More of our favorite quick bite stops

Farmacy Vegan Kitchen + BakeryFusion BowlTaco Bus
Restaurants in Sparkman Wharf

Tampa Museum of Art

Find Inspiration at a Local Museum

“Welcome to wander. Welcome to wonder.” That’s the mantra the Tampa Museum of Art lives by every single day. We love this gorgeous two-story museum for its commitment to talent and imagination. They’re known for their rotating exhibits, showcasing world-class artists like Yayoi Kusama. You can see what’s currently on exhibit here.

Insider tip: If you’re a Bank of America cardholder, you’re eligible for free admission on the first weekend of every month.

Hours and Location

Monday | 10:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday | 10:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday | 10:00am-5:00pm
Thursday | 10:00am-8:00pm
Friday | 10:00am-5:00pm
Saturday | 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday | 10:00am-5:00pm

📍120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL 33602

live music tampa
📷 C Fraser

Amalie Arena

Treat Yourself to a Little Entertainment

Amalie Arena is the cornerstone of the best things to do in Downtown Tampa. It’s home to our beloved Tampa Bay Lightning team and gives our city access to every headlining artist we could ever hope to see in concert. See for yourself.

Hours and Location

View upcoming events here.

📍401 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida

More of our favorite entertainment options

Tampa TheatreStageworks TheatreThe Great Escape RoomDowntown Crawlers

Here's How We Spend a Day in Channelside


More Fun Things to Do in Downtown Tampa

For more things to do in Downtown Tampa, follow UNATION on FacebookInstagram, or download our app (iPhone/Google Play). And don’t forget to check out more of our guides!

See you in the city!

Curated by

Hi, I’m Melissa Santell, a native New Yorker with a taste for bringing ideas to life – in the kitchen and at the office. My childhood d...